TWO East Lancashire MPs were invited for a tour of the facilities at North Lancs Training Group (NLTG)Vocational Centre of Excellence.

The Accrington-based training provider houses state-of-the-art, hands-on training facilities at its Old Bakery site, specialising in furniture and catering and hospitality.

Staff at NLTG showed Burnley's MP Antony Higginbotham and Hyndburn MP Sara Britcliffe around their Grange Lane base including the training kitchen and NL50 restaurant which opened in 2010 as part of a £2.4m investment.

Ms Britcliffe said: "It's been fantastic to be able to show Antony Higginbotham what a fantastic facility we have here at North Lancs Training Group, in the heart of Hyndburn and Accrington.

"It just shows the work that is going on in our local communities and beyond, and the fantastic difference it makes to people's lives."

Lancashire Telegraph: Sara Britcliffe and Antony Higginbotham got a tour of the apprentice training site in Accrington

Mr Higginbotham said: "It's been brilliant to come to North Lancs Training Group and see what they do.

"The quality of their facilities is what stands out the most, because that's what is most important when you're a person trying to get into the job market for the first time, having those real-life facilities that replicate what your employer has got and that's what NLTG do so brilliantly."

JCP Provision Manager at North Lancs Training Group, Carl Morris, added: "We have thoroughly enjoyed welcoming both Antony and Sara to our Old Bakery site.

"We are extremely proud of what we do here and our facilities, and with more than 300 apprenticeship vacancies available across the region, it's been great to showcase a bit of what we do to our local MPs."

More information about NLTG's apprenticeships, traineeships and courses can be found on their website www.nltg.co.uk.